Penalty king Joe Welch praised his Royston Town team-mates’ spirit following their shoot-out win over Lowestoft Town on Tuesday night.

The former Histon stopper saved two spot kicks as Royston won the CSS League Challenge Cup third round tie 3-1 on penalties following a dramatic 4-4 draw.

After falling behind early on, two goals in as many minutes from Rohdell Gordon and Vance Bola put the Crows in front, but Lowestoft drew level by the break.

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Daniel Gallin restored Royston’s lead after the interval, but two Lowestoft goals looked to have put them through until Adam Crowther struck the final equaliser four minutes into stoppage time.

Welch saved the first penalty, but Gordon then missed Royston’s first. However, Lowestoft missed their next kick too, allowing Tommy Newman to put the Crows in front.

Welch then saved again, before Bola put Royston two up, and although Lowestoft finally found the net with their next kick, Sam Corcoran stepped up to send the Crows through.

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“It was a mad game, but we got there in the end,” said Welch. “Although it was nice to save the penalties, all the lads have to take credit for the fighting spirit they showed.

“To keep coming back and clawing it back like we did was amazing, it was real never-say-die stuff. It puts us in a good position to win a trophy too, which is something the club targeted at the start of the season.”

Over in Isthmian One North, Soham Town Range rs had both Lee Chaffey and Will Gardner sent off as they crashed 2-0 at home to Felixstowe & Walton United, while Mildenhall Town let slip a 2-0 lead to lose 5-2 at Dereham Town.